Kasir Uddin Akand in Naogaon’s Sadar upazila is nearly 100 years old. Looking at him, there is no way of knowing that he is a witness to the horrors of World War II.
His medals and mementos serve as proof that at some point in history, Kasir fought during WW II under the British Army.
Born in 1925, Pioneer Corps Kasir is one of the nine Bangladeshis alive to have served under the British Army.
The others are Habilder Sabed Ali Sarker, Abdul Mannan, Lance Corporal Shamsuddin, soldiers Motiar Rahman, Abul Hossain, Lance Corporal Nur Mohammad, Habilder Nazir Ahmed, and Sapper Noor Mohammad.
Kasir has been getting a pension from the British government for his services during the war.
The World War II broke out in 1939 and lasted till 1945. The Allies (United Kingdom, United States, Soviet Union, and China) fought against the Axis Power (Nazi Germany, the Kingdom of Italy, and the Empire of Japan).
“On March 5, 1944, I got an appointment as a soldier. After a month of rifle-training in Kolkata, I joined as a Pioneer Corps of the Indian British Army,” Kasir told Dhaka Tribune.
Kasir recalled working in the restoration of Mumbai after Japanese air strikes during his time. After that he was sent to Myanmar (then Burma) after a training in Pune.
He said that they struggled while being stationed into the wilderness in Burma. “Speaking to other members of the army was impossible too.”
According to him, 11 units comprising of different races were formed there and after nearly a year in the forests of Burma, they were able to defeat the Japanese Army.
He later took a month-long leave to come home to Naogaon. After that he joined Comilla Cantonment from where he was again posted to Burma.
There he was involved in overseeing the Japenese prisoners of war rebuilding the war torn areas.
“I received the 1939-45 star, Burma Star Medal, and the War Medal 1939-45,” he said.
Kasir added that he currently gets an allowance of Tk16,000 every three months from the Armed Service Board Rajshahi office.
“I’m 97 years old and have several health issues. This money is all I have for food and medicine,” he said.
The war veteran said that after the war was over, the British government offered too send him to the United States but he returned for his country.
“I am not valued the way Freedom Fighters of 1971 are valued. No one checks up on me,” he lamented.
Kasir said that he wants recognition while he is alive.
On the other hand, Naogaon Deputy Commissioner Khalid Mehedi Hassan says: “We value Kasir Uddin Akand’s contributions.
“However, the facilities we provide to Freedom Fighters are only for those who fought the 1971 War of Independence,” he said.
“What greater recognition could there be for him since he has been receiving allowances from the British government and the Bangladesh armed forces?”
He added that he will try his best to do whatever is possible for him on behalf of the district administration.